Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEighteen’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEighteen’; characterized by having medium sized, conically-shaped berries that are dark red and strongly sweet, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisStrawEighteen’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietydesignated ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ and botanically known asFragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was the result of acontrolled cross conducted in Ventura County, Calif. in 2004 between theproprietary female parent ‘91J302’ (unpatented) and the proprietary maleparent ‘26H165’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected for asexualpropagation via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Shasta County,Calif. in 2005.

‘DrisStrawEighteen’ underwent further testing in Ventura County, Calif.for five years (2005-2010). The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through several asexualpropagations via stolons.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has not been made publicly available or sold morethan one year prior to the filing date of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the newvariety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as trueas can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.The photographs were taken from eight-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including fruit at various stages ofdevelopment.

FIG. 2 shows leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows both the upper surface and lower surface of several of theflowers.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawEighteen’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif.from 2005 to 2010. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ was taken from eight-month-oldplants. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEighteen’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘91J302’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘26H165’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—27.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—42.0 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—3.        -   Habit.—Globose and semi-upright.        -   Density of individual plant.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Medium.-   Leaves:    -   -   Terminal leaflet length.—7.8 cm.        -   Terminal leaflet width.—7.4 cm.        -   Terminal leaflet length/width ratio.—1.1.        -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—17.        -   Shape of teeth.—Crenate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Dark green). Lower surface:            RHS 148B (Medium Yellow-green).        -   Leaf shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.        -   Leaf blistering.—Medium.        -   Leaf glossiness.—Medium.        -   Number of leaflets.—3 only.        -   Terminal leaflet margin profile.—Revolute (margins rolled            backwards).        -   Terminal leaflet length/width ratio.—As long as broad (1:1).        -   Terminal leaflet shape.—Orbicular.        -   Terminal leaflet base shape.—Obtuse.        -   Terminal leaflet apex shape.—Convex.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—17.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—2.66 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Sparse.        -   Pose of hairs.—Downwards.        -   Color.—RHS 145A (Medium Yellow-green).-   Petiolule:    -   -   Color.—RHS 144B (Medium Yellow-green).        -   Length.—1.98 mm.        -   Diameter.—1.48 mm.-   Stipule:    -   -   Length.—3.2 cm.        -   Width.—9.11 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.-   Stolon:    -   -   Number.—Few.        -   Average number of daughter plants per plant.—12.        -   Stolon anthocyanin.—RHS 42A (Medium red).        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Beneath.        -   Number of flowers.—Medium.        -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early.        -   Flower size.—Medium.        -   Diameter.—2.602 cm.        -   Petals.—Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:            Concave-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping.            Length: 1.487 cm. Width: 1.457 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.0;            as long as broad. Typical and observed petal number per            flower: 6. Color (Both surfaces): RHS 155D (White).        -   Calyx.—Diameter: 3.428 cm. Diameter relative to corolla:            Larger. Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size.        -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire.            Length: 1.278 cm. Width: 6.14 mm. Typical and observed sepal            number per flower: 11. Color: RHS 1A (Medium Green-yellow).        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 1A (Medium Green-yellow).        -   Anther color.—RHS 14A (Medium Yellow-orange).-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Length.—23.1 cm; long.        -   Diameter at base of truss.—5.11 mm.        -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—3.        -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.        -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144A (Medium Yellow-green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Length.—4.141 cm.        -   Width.—3.783 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.        -   Fruit hollow length.—1.281 cm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—1.072 cm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ration.—1.2.        -   Fruit hollow center (size).—Small.        -   Weight (per individual berry).—27.2 g.        -   Fruit ratio of length/maximum width.—As long as broad.        -   Relative fruit size.—Medium.        -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruits.—None or very slight.        -   Unevenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 46B (Dark red).        -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Fruit glossiness.—Medium.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Below surface.        -   Achene coloration (sunward side of berry).—RHS 185B (Dark            Greyed-purple).        -   Achene coloration (shaded side of berry).—RHS 153C (Medium            Yellow-green).        -   Achenes per berry.—253.        -   Band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.        -   Insertion of calyx.—Level.        -   Pose of calyx segments.—Spreading — outwards to reflexed —            upwards.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit.—Much larger.        -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Firm.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N34B (Medium            orange-red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 155C (White).        -   Evenness of flesh color.—Uneven.        -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.        -   Sweetness.—Strong.        -   Acidity.—Medium.        -   Texture when tasted.—Fine.        -   Type of bearing.—Fully everbearing — fully remontant.        -   Grams of fruit/plant.—335.2 g.        -   Harvest interval.—Early September to mid-October.        -   Harvest maturity.—Early.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance:    -   -   Botrytis fruit rot.—Susceptible.        -   Powdery mildew.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Verticillium wilt.—Susceptible.        -   Leather Rot.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Red stele.—Susceptible.        -   Leaf spots (Ramularia tulasnei).—Moderately susceptible.        -   Leaf scorch.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Leaf blight.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Black root rot.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Xanthomonas fragariae.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Tetranychus urticae.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Tarsonemus pallidus.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Aphelencoides fragariae.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Pratylenchus penetrans.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Ditylenchus dipsac.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Anthonomus rubi.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Aphis spp. (Aphids).—Moderately susceptible.        -   Lygus hesperus (Lygus bug).—Susceptible.        -   Drought.—Susceptible.        -   High temperatures.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Wind.—Moderately resistant.        -   High pH.—Moderately resistant.        -   High soil salt levels.—Susceptible.        -   Water logging.—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ is compared to the proprietary female parent‘91J302’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has a more vigorous growthhabit, higher yields, improved fruit firmness, and improved nurserypropagation performance than ‘91J302’.

When ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ is compared to the proprietary male parent‘26H165’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has a more vigorous growthhabit, has higher yields, better flavor, improved fruit appearance, andbetter shelf-life than ‘26H165’.

When ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ is compared to the commercial variety‘DrisStrawThree’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,673), the petiole pose of hairsfor ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ is downwards, while the petiole pose of hairsfor ‘DrisStrawThree’ is outwards to downwards. In addition,‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has a conical shape, and a fine texture when tasted,while ‘DrisStrawThree’ has a cylindrical shape, and a very fine texturewhen tasted.

When ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ is compared to the commercial variety‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ (unpatented), the fruit of ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ hasa conical shape while the shape of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ is wedged. Inaddition, ‘DrisStrawEighteen’ has fruit with strong sweetness and a finetexture when tasted, while ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ has fruit with mediumsweetness and coarse texture when tasted.

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant as described and shownherein.